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Villanueva protects warehouse workers

Details
Category: Senator Celina Villanueva News
Sunday, January 05, 2025 04:47 PM
  • Villanueva
  • Workplace safety
  • Warehouse
  • HB2547

Sen. Villanueva
SPRINGFIELD
– State Senator Celina Villanueva passed a measure strengthening warehouse worker protections by ensuring employers are disclosing the quotas are required to meet.

“Every warehouse worker deserves a safe workplace where meeting quotas doesn’t come at the cost of their health,” said Senator Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Stronger protections ensure that productivity never outweighs people.”

Read more: Villanueva protects warehouse workers

Collins pushes for expanded protections for nursing home residents

Details
Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Sunday, January 05, 2025 04:42 PM
  • Nursing Homes
  • L.Collins
  • Slideshow
  • HB 2474

State Senator Lakesia Collins

SPRINGFIELD – To safeguard and protect Illinois seniors from neglect and abuse, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ bill looks to prohibit retaliatory action against nursing home residents and hold bad nursing homes accountable.

“When you are in assisted living, you rely on caregivers and staff to help you every day, and this bill looks to protect residents in care from neglectful and abusive practices,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Seniors deserve our upmost respect, and with this bill, we can expand and protect the rights they have and the avenues they can seek justice.”

Under the legislation, House Bill 2474, nursing homes would be prohibited from retaliating against a resident who is exercising their rights. If a resident faces retaliation, they would be able to file a civil suit against the nursing home and potentially recover damages if proven true.

Read more: Collins pushes for expanded protections for nursing home residents

Castro continues protecting Illinois workers from retaliation

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Sunday, January 05, 2025 04:29 PM
  • One Day Rest in Seven Act
  • SB3180
  • Labor Laws
  • Workplace Retaliation

castro 010525SPRINGFIELD — During the early January legislative session, State Senator Cristina Castro continued her work standing up on behalf of workers and passing a measure to prohibit retaliation against employees who exercise their rights in the workplace.

“No one deserves to have their livelihood taken away because they attempted to exercise their rights in the workplace,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “These changes will enhance enforcement of our labor laws, safeguarding workers’ rights to break and rest periods in a reasonable working environment.”

Read more: Castro continues protecting Illinois workers from retaliation

The Majority Report 12/30/24 - New year. New laws.

Details
Category: Majority Report
Monday, December 30, 2024 06:38 AM
  • Majority Report
  • New Laws

New Laws 2025

New laws take effect in 2025

SPRINGFIELD — With the new year approaching, a number of new state laws will take effect. Nearly 300 laws will officially be on the books beginning Jan. 1 — from one that fights catalytic converter theft to another that makes it easier to cancel online subscriptions.

In the new year, victims of car theft won’t be on the hook for towing and storage fees, families can expect lower out-of-pocket EpiPen costs and more. The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined the top 10 laws affecting Illinoisans in the upcoming year. These include:

  • HB 2443: Insurers must now cover medically prescribed hearing aids and services for individuals of all ages, ensuring access to essential care.
  • HB 3639: Life-saving epinephrine injectors are now capped at $60 per twin-pack, making allergy care more affordable.
  • HB 4589: Recyclable metals dealers must track vehicle and part information for catalytic converters to prevent illegal sales.
  • HB 4911: Gym memberships can now be canceled online or via email if those options were used to join the contract.
  • HB 5561: Employees are protected from retaliation for exposing workplace practices they believe violate the law.
  • SB 2654: Vehicles that are stolen and later towed will not incur storage fees if recovered within seven days, and owners can retrieve essential items, like medical devices and textbooks.
  • SB 2764: Businesses offering free trials longer than 15 days must email consumers three days before the cancellation deadline.
  • SB 3201: Law enforcement will now be trained to better recognize and respond to individuals with autism.
  • SB 3471: Illinois drivers can now request free replacement plates if their license plates are stolen.
  • SB 3479: Businesses offering veteran or military benefit services for a fee must disclose all terms upfront.

A full list of laws that take effect Jan. 1, 2025 can be found here.

 

Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Senate Democrats praise new Medicaid coverage for certified doula and lactation consultant services

Details
Category: Member News
Friday, December 20, 2024 11:22 AM
  • Castro
  • Hunter
  • Medicaid
  • Lactation Consultant
  • Doula
  • Infant Care

Sens. Hunter and Castro

CHICAGO - State Senators Mattie Hunter and Cristina Castro celebrated the announcement of the availability of new perinatal doula and lactation consultant services pregnant and postpartum individuals who are enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program.

“Doulas and lactation consultants provide vital support that helps improve the overall health of mothers and their babies,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By expanding coverage of these services, we are making essential care more attainable for families.”

This coverage will further expand maternal and child health coverage, by ensuring all individuals are supported throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.

Read more: Senate Democrats praise new Medicaid coverage for certified doula and lactation consultant services

Simmons: Housing is a human right

Details
Category: Senator Mike Simmons News
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 01:40 PM
  • Affordable Housing

simmons 121724CHICAGO – To address the housing crisis that the 7th District and entire state of Illinois faces, State Senator Mike Simmons led a Senate Human Rights Committee subject matter hearing on Tuesday entitled ”Housing as a Human Right.”

“The hearing is in direct response to what my office witnesses on a daily basis, which is people in a housing crisis,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Common threats to stable, accessible, affordable housing include double-digit rent increases, the threat of eviction, building neglect and disrepair, homelessness, and domestic violence. No matter what part of Illinois you live in, there is a lack of sufficient accessible, quality housing, and the purpose of this hearing is to amplify this issue and affect real change.”

Read more: Simmons: Housing is a human right

The Majority Report 12/17/24 - Raising the minimum wage

Details
Category: Majority Report
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 11:40 AM
  • Lightford
  • Majority Report
  • Sims
  • Peters
  • Minimum Wage
  • ILLC
  • National Quantum Algorithm Center

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford

Lightford's efforts lead to $15 minimum wage come Jan. 1

CHICAGO — Following a multi-year implementation period, the state’s minimum wage will reach $15 per hour on Jan. 1, thanks to steadfast advocacy from Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford.

“As a state, we have helped countless workers make ends meet, reduce financial stress, and provide a more solid foundation for their futures,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “The $15 minimum wage is a testament to our commitment to economic justice and our belief that everyone who works full time deserves a living wage.”

Read more.

 

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus

Illinois Latino Caucus releases statement

CHICAGO — The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus issued the following statement:

“At a time when people across our country are seeking unity in the wake of political division, extremists are offering nothing but fear and intimidation.

“Our greatest safety is in community. As leaders of this state, we pledge to use every tool at our disposal — legislative, legal, and otherwise — to protect our immigrant families from the threat of mass deportation. We will not be intimidated and will not allow our communities to live in fear. As the saying goes, el pueblo unido, jamás será vencido — the people united will never be defeated.”

Read more.

 

Quantum center

Senate Democrats applaud announcement to build new National Quantum Algorithm Center

CHICAGO — State Senators Elgie R. Sims, Jr. and Robert Peters celebrated the announcement of a new National Quantum Algorithm Center, which will further solidify the state as a leader in the global quantum industry.

“Illinois is poised to become the epicenter of quantum innovation, positioning itself as a global leader in both technological advancement and economic development,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The establishment of the National Quantum Algorithm Center marks a pivotal moment in our state's technological landscape, promising to drive breakthrough solutions to complex global challenges while also enhancing cutting-edge research and job opportunities.”

Read more.

 

Members In The News

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville: Imperiled wetlands save the Midwest billions in flood damage costs, study shows, but they’re disappearing | Chicago Tribune

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Maywood: Take action to keep dangerous delta-8 products away from kids | Chicago Sun-Times

Senator Doris Turner, Springfield: 10 finalists chosen in state flag design competition | Chicago Tribune

 

Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Lightford pushes for stronger hemp regulations to protect public health

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Monday, December 16, 2024 01:51 PM
  • Public Health
  • Delta-8
  • Synthetic Hemp-Derived THC
  • Regulation

lightford delta8 121624CHICAGO — Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford joined Governor JB Pritzker and a number of stakeholders to push for the House passage of her measure that would regulate Delta-8, a synthetic hemp-derived THC intoxicant.

“The current unregulated market undermines social equity license holders who have long worked to establish a legal, well-regulated business,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market."

Read more: Lightford pushes for stronger hemp regulations to protect public health

More Articles …

  1. Senate Democrats applaud announcement to build new National Quantum Algorithm Center
  2. Illinois Latino Caucus releases statement
  3. New laws take effect in 2025
  4. Lightford’s efforts lead to $15 minimum wage come Jan. 1
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Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
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